It’s a knockout-punch weekend: First, to finally find out who’s the boss with the fourth fight between Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, and, secondly, with country stars who have moved Nashville to Las Vegas en masse.

The invasion of thousands of cowboys and cowgirls for the 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo means a host of entertainers topped off Monday night with the live Fox broadcast of the American Country Awards from Mandalay Bay.

Other music gems include Journey, who began their travels in 1973, at Planet Hollywood, and our hometown Clint Holmes’ holiday season show at Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

This is the weekend that Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly, teamed with humor-pundit Dennis Miller, chose for a talkative night, at the Colosseum in Caesar Palace, of what’s right and wrong with America.

I encourage you to support two important causes this weekend. First, Las Vegas resident Mike Tyson returns from hosting “The View” in New York to host with comedian Eddie Griffin his Mike Tyson Cares Foundation benefit for Shade Tree at Tabu in MGM Grand on Saturday.

Then on Sunday, more than 20 chefs and restaurateurs will crowd onto the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York for a Hurricane Sandy Red Cross benefit to assist their hospitality industry colleagues.

Check out our rundown of NFR weekend entertainment posted Thursday, with everybody from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s debut at the Venetian, Shania Twain’s residency at Caesars and Merle Haggard downtown at Golden Nugget. An update: the Academy of Country Music presents David Nail tonight, Aaron Watson on Saturday and Chris Janson on Sunday at Fan Fest.

Pinup princess Pamela Anderson at the Ronald McDonald House to help start the incredible 310-mile journey Cirque du Soleil performer Jesus “Half Animal” Villa will make on spring-loaded stilts to L.A. for his sixth Guinness World Record.

The first book signing of food critics Al Mancini, John Curtas and Max Jacobson’s third “Eating Las Vegas: the 50 Essential Restaurants” is at the farmers market at Tivoli Village from 10 a.m. to noon.

It’s Pacquiao-Marquez 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, plus, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will be showcasing his new boxing promotions company at the fight in support of his boxer Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Miss Universe contestants host and take part in a painting event at Planet Hollywood with “Design & Wine,” a local painting studio, where final art pieces will be auctioned to benefit Cure 4 the Kids.

Chefs with roots in New York City and Las Vegas have inspired “Start Spreadin’ the News,” a food-and-wine extravaganza with Francois Payard, Scott Conant and Joel Robuchon as part of the weekend Hurricane Sandy benefits at New York-New York.

Fremont Street Experience welcomes the holidays with the annual Grand Menorah Lighting with Mayor Carolyn Goodman followed by the next day’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The Final Table of the World Poker Tour’s Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Classic with the Royal Flush Girls is filmed for Fox Sports at Bellagio.

Touro University hosts the “Season of Lights” luncheon and silent auction benefiting the Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities.

And the Las Vegas Legends play Toros Mexico at Orleans Arena.

We’ll post entertainment, Miss Universe and NFR reports and photos this weekend, so check back often. Then on Monday, a startling, candid interview with country singer LeAnn Rimes, who is part of Monday’s American Country Awards and has dates here this month.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.